Clutch.



11.511. JONES. v CLUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED FEBJO, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

mm ES .graze/KTJ/zas,

E'. H. JONES.

' CLUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED I'EB.1D, 1910. I l

Patented Feb. 20, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEETS.

' @man1/woz' Hank H. Jones .a

UNITED sraras PATENT oFFIoE.

. l .i f FRANK H. JONES, 0F MUNCIE, INDIANA, ASSIQNOR TO WARNER GEARCOMPANY, `OI' MUNCIE, INDIANA, A CORPORATION 0F INDIANA.

CLUTCH.

Specication of Letters Patent.

' Patented Feb. 20, 1912.

Application n led February 10, 1910. Serial No. 543,150.

. cation.

The object of my inventionis to` rovide an improved multiple diskfriction c utch.

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention.

Figure l is an axial section of an embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 anend elevation in partial section; Fig. 3 a side elevation; Fig. 4 asection on line 4 4 of Fig. l; Fig. 5 an axial section of anotherembodiment of my invention; Fig.;6 a section on line 6 6 of Fig. 5; Fig.7 a side elevation vof the structure shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 8 a

sect-ion on line 8 8 o'f Fig. 5; Fig. 9 an axial section of a clutchwith modified frictive views of modified friction elements.

In the drawings, 1() indicates a short shaft section adapted to beconnected to a driving or driven member, as for instance the main shaftof an automobile engine. Formed integrally with shaft 10 is a circularhead or plate 11 provided with a plurality of circumferentiallyarranged, axially parallel arms 12.- These arms 12 are circumfererrtially separated so as to form passages 13 between themand secured toone ed e of each arm is a wearing plate M which is preferably inthe-form of a steel angle, as shown, removably secured to the arm 12 bymeans of screws 15. The inner faces 16 of arms 12 are bored so as-totogether form a cylindrical pocket in which are nested several frictionrings 17, conveniently formed ofy sheet metal and each' provided with apluralit of outwardly cxtendin fingers 18 adapte .to fitiin the ways 13an lie againstv the adjacent, wearing plate 14:.A `Interdigitated withthe friction rings '17 are friction rings 19, said rings being alsonested within the surfaces 16.1',l vEach rin l19 is provided with apluralityv of inward y extending iingers 21. v Aliningwith shaft 1.0,and having ita .inner end projected into 'the pocket formed by" surfaces16, is' a theft ,22 carrying one race of a-ball bearing 2,8, other raceof which is seated in a vforxmad in head 11,1

In order to take the thrusts of the parts I also form, at the axis ofhead 11, a pocket 25 in which is mounted a ball 26 against which bears asmall stud 27 carried at the inner end of shaft 22. Keyed to shaft 22and lying within the pocket formed by surfaces 16, is a head 28 having aplurality of radial arms 29 in the circumferential surface of each ofwhich is formed a lon itudinal extending roove 31. One side o groove 31is formed y an L-shaped wearing plate 32 seated inthe bottom of thegroove and detachably held in position by one or more screws 33, theconstruction being such that the groove 31 thus formed is adapted toreceive the fingers 21 of the friction rings 19. By this arrangement thefriction rings 19, while free to move axially, are compelled to rotatewith head 28 and the friction rings 17 are compelled to rotate with head11.

In order to insure a proper oiling of the friction surfaces of the twosetssof rings 17 and 19 I form in the inner edge of each ring 17 aplurality -of outwardly extending notches 35 which, in order that therings 17 -mav not be materially weakened, are prefof thel ring so that,asone set of rings rotates relative to the other, one set of notchesvwill be brought in to overlapping register with the other'set of notchesand thus insure a perfect delivery of lubricating oil throughout theinterengaging frictional surfaces of the two sets of rings.

Thus far the structures shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive and that Shownin Figs. 5 to S'inclusive 'are substantially identical. In theconstruction shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive each of the fingers 12 isnotched at 41, at its outer end, and rejected into each oftheae notchesis a radially extending finger 42 which -is integral with a clampingcup/13 journaled upon shaft 22. 'lhe projectlon of the fingers 42 intonotches 41 com- 'pels a rotation of cup 43 with head 11 and the inneredge of the cup is adapted to engage the outermost ring 19, while theinneri most ring 18'abuts against a shoulder 44 formed in head 11. Thecup 43 may be forced into engagement with the friction rings by anysuitable means but I prefer to provide springs by means of which the cup43 will be normally held in engagement with the adjacent ring 19 by afull clamping pressure so that the friction rings will be normallypressed together with their full operative force. For this purpose Iform in each finger 42 a circular opening 45 having a shoulder 46.Slipped through each opening 45 is a spring casing 47 having a ange 48at its open end to engage shoulder 46. Head 11'is provided with aplurality of radially extending ears 49 each of which is perforated topermit the passage of a bolt 51 which is projected entirely through aspring casing 47 and provided with anut 62 which slidingly fits withinthe open end of spring casing 47 and is formed'to receive one end of acompression spring 53 which lies within the casing47. Enough of-thespring structures above described are distributed around the clutchstructure to insurel a uniformity of axial movement of the cup 43 and,in order that the pressures exerted by the several springs may beuniform so as to prevent any tendency to a tilting of the friction ringsrelative to each other, each of the nuts 52 is threaded upon its bolt sothat the tension of the several springs 53 may be readily independentlyadjusted, each nut being heldin position by a readily removablecotter-pin 52 passed through the: bolt and lying within a radialslot oropening 54 formed in the head. In order to shiftl the cup 43 awayfromthe friction rings any suitable means may be provided, as, forinstance, a shifting collar 56 engaging suitable shoulders or col- `larscarried by the cup 43.

In the form shown in Figs. 5 to 8 inclu-- is provided with a circularplate which.

i is adapted to engage the outermost friction .ring 119, as clearlyshown in Fig. 5, and this plate is provided with a plurality ofperforations 66 through each of which is'freely projected one of thearms 29 of head 28. In

this form the head 28 differs slightly, at one end, from the head 28shown in Fig. 1 because at the inner end I provide an abutfuientring 67l against [which the innermost mounted in one side of each of said .aplurality of friction rings interdigitated friction ring 19 may abut.The shifting collar 64 may be moved against the action of spring 61 by asuitable shifting collar 68.

In the construction vshown in Figs. 9, 10, and 11, I have shown amodified form of friction elements which I find in practice to releasemore promptly than the construction shown in the other ligures. In thisconstruction each friction element 71 is conied into the frustum of acone and at its outer edge provided with ngers 72 adapted to lie in theslots 13 of head 11". Similarly the friction elements 7 3 are formedinto the frustum of a cone and provided at their inner edges withinwardly projecting fingers 74 adapted to lie in the grooves 31 of head28. In practice I lind that friction elements of this form let go muchmore promptly than elements of the form shown in the other figures ofthe drawings.

I claim as my invention:

- 1. A multiple disk clutch comprising a rotary head formed integralwith the supporting shaft and having a plurality of circumferentiallyarranged axially parallel arms, a wearing plate secured in positionalong one edge of each of said arms, a plurality of friction ringsnested within said arms vand having outwardly extending fingersprojecting between said arms yand engaging a wearing plate, a shaftarranged axially relative to the rotary head and proj ected. into thespace between its arms, a head secured to the inner end of said shaftand lying within the space between said arms, saidhead having aplurality ofaxially extending grooves in its circumference, a wearingplate detachablyoo ves,

with the first mentioned friction rings and havinglinwardly projectingfingers lying within the lgrooves of the last-mentioned head -andengaging said last-mentioned wearing plates, and a clamping memberrotatively connected to the irst mentioned head and' arranged to force'the interdi-gi- -tated friction ringspinto engagement with each other.

2. A multiple disk clutch comprising a rotary head formed integral withthe supporting shaft and having a plurality of circumferentiallyarranged axially parallel arms, a

i plurality of friction rings nested within said arms and havingoutwardly extending fingers projecting vbetween said arms and en''gaging 'a dwearing plate, afshaft arranged axially relative to therotary head and projected into the space between its arms, a headsecured'tothe inner end of said shaftand lying withinrthe space betweensaid arms, said head having a plurality of axially extendinggrooves inits circumference, a plurality of friction. rings interdigitated withthe rst mentioned friction rings and having inwardly projecting fingerslying within .the

grooves of the Iasi-mentioned head andengaging said lastmentionedwearing plates, an axially movable clamping member rota- /tivelyconnected to the first mentioned head friction rings other, and`yielding means' for yieldiiigly tary head foi-med integral 'ing'shaftand' having a plurality of circi1m ferentially arranged and' arranged toforce the interdi itated into engagement wit each urging said clamposition.

3. A multiple disk clutch comprising a rowith the 'support ing memberinto clamping between said arms and engaging a wearing a shaft arrangedaxially relative? to plate,

head and proJected into the space the rotar between its arms, a headsecured tothe inner mounted in one side of each of said groove? tivelyconnecte said shaft and lying 'i 'y 'the arms of the rst-mentioned-h'rality vof spring containers seated'im'nm -a plurality mounted in eacend of said shaft and lying within the 'space between said arms, saidhead 'having a plurality of "axially extending'4 grooves" in itscircumference, a wearing plate detachably a plurality of friction ringsinterdigitate with the first mentioned friction rings and v havinginwardly projecting ngers lyin within the grooves of the last-mentions:head and engaging said lastmentioned a clamping member rotato the firstmentioned head and arranged to force the nterdigitated friction rin intoengagement lwtheach other,

and yie ding-means for y-ieldi'iigly ,urging said clamping member intoclamping posi t' y i wearing plates 4. A 'multiple disk clutch vcomrising a rotary head having a plurality o circ'mferentially arrangedaxiallyparallel arms, of friction rings nested 'within said arms andhaving outwardly extendiii fingers projecting between said arms,vItalia.. arrangedaxially7 relative to. the rotaryfhead and projectedinto the space between its arms, a head secured to the 'inner endvofwithin the space be; ytween said arms, said head having pipinrality ofaxially extending groeven-iii yits circumference, a pluralityl.of-friction rings interdigitated with the first mentioned'rings andhavin lying within the .grooves o tioned head, a clampin cup 'haringenin-v terlocking axially-Inova le connection with clamping cup, apluraltyof bo1tsf by said'irst-mentioned headand extended through said slringcontainers, a

of said containers, and a; nut` carried by each `bolt and engaging e."sprl n 5. i multiple disk clutch comprising g land projectedv into the'space ranged axiall and projectedy o ne side of of friction rin viardlyproecting" fingers Vtaiiiers see rotary headformed integral with' thesupporting shaft and havinga plurality of circuiiiferentially arrangedaxially parallel arms, a lurality of friction rings nested within saidarms and having outwardly ex'- te'nding fingers projecting between saidarms and engaging a wearin plate, a shaft arranged axially relative to te rotary head between its arms, a head secured to the inner end of saidshaft and lying within the space between said arms, said head having aplurality of axially extending grooves inl its circumference, aplurality of friction rings inter-'- digitated with the first-mentionedfriction rings and having inwardly projecting iin# '-gers lying 'withinthe grooves of the lastmentioned head and engaging said last-mentionedwearing plates, a clampin cup hav-` ing am interlocking axiall -mova leconnec- '85 tion with the arms o f t e first-mentioned head, aplurality'of spring containers-seated in said clampin cup, a pluralityof A carried by said rst-mentioned head and extended t rough said springcontainers, 0," spring mounted in each of said' containers,

' andI a mit carried .by each bolt and engaging i .e Sprmg.

' 6. A' multiple disk clutch com risinglaf 'rotaryl head having aAplurality o circum- 06 ferentially arranged'- axially parallel farms,

late secured in position along a wearin 'g of said arma-.a plurality oneedge o each of friction rings nested within said arms and havingoutwardly extending `fingers projecting etween said arms, a shaft ar'relativeto the rotary head. into the space between its arms, a headsecured to theinner endof said shaft and lying within' the 'spacebetween said arms, said headf'having a plurality 'of' axially extendin 1ves in its circiimference, a wearing p a egdetjchably' mounted in eachof'said a plurality inte igi'tated with the 110 first-mentioned 'ictionrin and having-m' ing within the e last-mention head, a clampin cuphaying anv interlocking azally-mov-l 'ab e connection with the arms ofthe first` .mentioned head, a plurality of fsprng conin said clampingcup, a plutscarried bysaid first-menand extended through said ves oftring-mounted inea-c an 'a nut carried by each 11e- Spline. mu I e diskclutch comprising a .rotary integral with the sup-r' 'shaft-and -havineiiilmfratally am arms',.: a 5 'wearing plate each of said arms,- aplurings nested within' said. outwardly extendingiif a pluralityrgfaxially parallel of .'frictlon" h iacrif secured in positionff* gersprojecting between said arms and en# gagmg akwearing `late, a shaftAarrangedaxlally relative tot e` rotary head and projected intoA thefspace between its arms, a head nsecured to the inner end` of said shaftand ylying within the space between said arms, said head having aplurality of axially] extending grooves in its circumference',` awearing plate detachably `mounted in onesidefo each of said grooves, aplurality of'l friction rings interdigtated with the rst-lnntioned:friction rings and hav` ing inwadly projeetin` fingers lying Within thegrooves 'of the lastmentioned head and engaging said lastmentionedwearing plates, a clamping cuphayingxan interlockmg axially-movableconnection with *the j arms of theA first-mentioned head, a plu--through saidl spring containers,

ralityA offspring containers seated in said clamping cup, a `plurality`of bolts carried by said `first-mentlo'ned'head and extended mountedlineach ofl said containers, and a a springy n nut carried by each 'boitand engaging' a spring. l y i V8. In afciutch, the combination of tworotary heads and two sets of interdigitated friction. rings arrangedbetween :said heads, adjacent rings yhaving oppositely extendingover-lapping oil distrlbuting notches formed in the edges thereof. I

U9. `Invia clutch, the combination of'two `rotaryjheads and two sets ofinterdigitated friction rings arranged between said heads, adjacentrings having oppositely extending oil distributing notches vformed 1nthe' edges thereof.

In Witness whereof, FRANK^H. JONES have hereunto set my hand and seal atMuny cie, Indianawthis 5th day of February, A. D. 40

onethousand nine hundred and ten.

FRANK H. JONES". [1.. 8.1( Witnessesz' v y C. Davis,

' W. H. CHURCH.'

